The Dakota Access Pipeline and #NoDAPLWhat You Need to Know:

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UPDATE: 11/21/2016

The situation at Standing Rock is currently beyond inhumane, as there are reports and video evidence of militarized officers upgrading their assault against protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The time to get involved has been upon us, but it's never too late to jump in—your actions matter now more than ever before. Below, I've listed ways to get involved. Please check them out, copy+paste them as your own separate status, even go as far as tagging friends—there's too much at stake.

CALL:

-North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple at (701) 328-2200-Army Corps of Engineers at (202) 761-5903 (and demand that they reverse the permit)-the White House at (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1414 (and seek to get the permit rescinded)-the executives of the companies that are building the pipeline:a. Lee Hanse, Executive Vice President Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. at (210) 403-6455 or email Lee.Hanse@energytransfer.comb. Glenn Emery Vice President Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. at (210) 403-6762 or email Glenn.Emery@energytransfer.comc. Michael (Cliff) Waters Lead Analyst Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. at (713) 989-2404 or email Michael.Waters@energytransfer.com

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UPDATE: 9/14/2016

I remember reading a story last week claiming that a court had ordered a halt to pipeline construction on select lands. Those "select lands" failed to include the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's territory. Because of the nature of headline consumption, this move seemed to placate the individuals following on social media who read headlines of "victory" when that was far from the reality being exhibited beyond the header. As a result, the fight ensued while less people tuned in.

However, the Obama Administration stepped in on Friday to deliver the respite that the protesters truly needed in the form of a temporary block on pipeline development. Additionally, it looks as though tribes will be consulted for a reevaluation of policy moving forward (which seems like a solid step in the right direction, but who knows what will transpire).

In any case, fights like this are far from over, and there is a lot of healing to be done from the past several weeks and months. Just because an issue is out of the headlines doesn't mean it's out of this world.

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UPDATE: 8/25/2016

As a Palestinian-American, there are few things more disheartening and disgusting to me than to see this nation systemically displace and trample all over the human rights of the indigenous Native peoples.

While this violence is nothing new, the battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline is only the latest *visible* manifestation of the systemic oppression levied against people of color in this country. As a Palestinian, I feel a special kinship with indigenous people trying to preserve the only homes they know. As Americans, we should all be allies in combating the violence brought against the native inhabitants of this land we find ourselves on.

And none of this work is transactional—true progress towards liberation is not built on tit-for-tat economic means. But, if you happen to be among those that can't see past their privilege, then may I remind you that oppression knows no bounds. Violence is always levied against the marginalized first to see what sticks, what those forces can get away with before their practices and its effects begin to proliferate to all of us. It's nothing new.

So since people love to quote Dr. King: we're not free until we're all free. Remember: our liberations are not just linked, but they are one in the same.

If you have resources, please share them with everyone in your circles. Otherwise, at the very least, inform your peers about what's going on with #NoDAPL